Convertible rack for computer interface devices

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a convertible rack that can be affixed to a 5.25-inch hard drive bay in a typical PC housing; the convertible rack includes an operator interface such as a card reader unit, a USB output/input end, a SATA output/input end, a fan-controlling unit as well as a rotatable display panel. The convertible rack for computer interfaces is a device capable of providing easy operation and good display effect.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a convertible rack that can be affixed to a 5.25-inch hard drive bay in a typical PC housing. The convertible rack includes an operator interface such as a card reader unit, a USB output/input end, a SATA output/input end, a fan-controlling unit, as well as a rotatable display panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer upgrades and evolution have already surpassed human imagination. The impact is tremendous and also benefits human beings. Furthermore, they change the way human beings handle things and greatly enhance work efficiency.

Through the innovation and improvement over the years, computers have already greatly increased the functions and the processing load of data; therefore, whether it is a personal computer or server computer, the pressure is on the voluminous data processing, storage and the increase in temperature during execution. Thus, any computer peripheral device needs to have the characteristics of powerful function, high reliability and great display effect.

Whether the computer peripheral device is a HUB, storage device, card reader unit, heat dissipating fan or environmental temperature controller, most of peripherals are single function devices, and often lack information or a display. Most prompt simple operating signals at most.

Additionally, hard disks, soft disks, CDs and DVDs are the most popular storage media used in conventional personal computers. Hard disks are fixed storage devices screwed into a hard drive bay in the computer housing. Although mobile racks can also be used as a portable storage tool, the disadvantage is that it is physically big and heavy. Therefore, it is no longer appropriate as a portable storage tool. Soft disks and CDs are the most popular portable storage tools, but the storage capacity is greatly limited. While the storage capacity of CDs and DVDs are great, the size is too large to be carried easily. Additionally, most CDs can read data but not write data, because writing data needs to use an additional CD-R/W. Therefore, each tool has obvious disadvantages.

In view of the disadvantages of the conventional portable data storing media, some suppliers have developed a memory card that is satisfactory both in size and capacity. The so-called memory card includes CF (Compact Flash), XD, SD, MMC, MS and SM that is a small-sized memory card. These memory cards are commonly used in computer peripheral products such as digital cameras, card readers and MP3 players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a convertible rack that can be affixed to a 5.25-inch hard drive bay in a typical PC computer housing. The convertible rack includes an operator interface such as a card reader unit, a USB output/input end, a SATA output/input end and a fan-controller. On top of said operator interface of the convertible rack is provided with a display panel that can be stored or expanded as well as displayed or operated vertically such that not only can said device provides multifunctional operator interfaces, but also provides better display effect.

The foregoing aspects, as well as many of the attendant advantages and features of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of the convertible rack for computer interfaces.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment pulling out the display panel of the convertible rack for computer interfaces in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the convertible rack for computer interfaces pulling out display panel and rotating it to a vertical position for operation and display in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the convertible rack for computer interfaces in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the convertible rack for computer interfaces of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the convertible rack for computer interfaces of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the convertible rack for computer interfaces of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an exploded three-dimensional view of the convertible rack for computer interfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Generally, at least one backup 5.25-inch hard drive bay is saved in a conventional PC housing. The 5.25-inch hard drive bay allows additional hard disks, mobile racks and CD burners to slide into and be placed in the hard drive bay and be screwed from the side.

Therefore, the design principle of the convertible rack for computer interfaces in accordance with the present invention does not change the original structure of the computer housing and the hard drive bay, but provides a convertible rack that can be affixed to a 5.25-inch hard drive bay in a typical PC housing. The convertible rack includes an operator interface such as a card reader unit, a USB output/input end, a SATA output/input end and a fan controller. On top of said operator interface of the convertible rack is provided with a display panel that can be stored or expanded as well as displayed or operated vertically such that not only can said device provide multifunctional operator interfaces, but also provide a better display effect.

Refer to FIGS. 1 and 8. Each shows a three-dimensional view and exploded three-dimensional view of the present invention, respectively. The convertible rack for the computer interface of the present invention mainly includes a convertible rack 1, a main circuit board 2, a card reading unit circuit board 3, a sliding element 4, a display panel 5, an upper cover 6 and a lower cover 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, two sides of the convertible rack 1 computer interfaces in accordance with the present invention are saved with screwing holes 11 so that when the convertible rack for computer interfaces in accordance with the present invention is placed in the computer housing hard drive bay, it can be screwed and affixed thereto. On top of the convertible rack 1 is provided with a separating board 12. The separating board 12 separates the convertible rack 1 into an upper layer and a lower layer. Two sides of the upper layer of the separating board 12 are provided with symmetrical sliding rails 13 so as to allow the sliding element 4 to utilize the sliding shafts 41 on the two sides to be inserted into the sliding rails 13, thereby allowing said sliding element 4 to slide back and forth. Clamping switch 14 is used with a tail block 42 of the sliding element 4 to allow the sliding element 4 to be clamped or loosened with the use of a spring 15 to push out the sliding element 4. Two sides of the front end of the sliding element 4 are provided with an axle 43.

The front end of the convertible rack 1 is provided with a slot hole 16. A display panel 5 can be placed within the slot hole 16. The display panel 5 consists of a frame body 51, circuit board 52 and back panel 53. The circuit board 52 is electrically connected to the main circuit board 2 through cable 21. The display panel 5 utilizes the bearing 515 on the two sides of the frame body 51 of the display panel 5 as well as the axle 43 on the front end of the sliding element 4 to be covered with each other.

Refer to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 5 to 7. The above mentioned structure not only allows the display panel 5 to move back and forth with the sliding element 4, it also allows the display panel 5 to be hidden inside the convertible rack 1 when moved backwards, or allows the display panel 5 to be rotated to a vertical display position when pulled out, thereby presenting a larger display area.

The front end of the frame body 51 of the display panel 5 is provided with a copy button 511 for executing data copy of the card reader unit. The purpose thereof is to allow execution of data read/write even when the display panel 5 is not pulled out or rotated.

The lower layer of the convertible rack 1 is affixed with a main circuit board 2 and card reader unit circuit board 3. The front end of the main circuit board 2 is provided with a USB output/input end 22 and a SATA output/input end 23, while the back end is provided with a variety of connecting ends 24 for connecting the present device with the main circuit board of the computer or power supply.

As mentioned above, the front end of the card reader unit circuit board 3 is provided with a variety of card reader unit 31, such as CF, XD, SD, MS and SM. The card reader unit circuit board 3 is electrically connected to the power line 32 and the main circuit board 2.

Refer to FIGS. 4 and 8. Each card reader unit 31 is saved with through holes 17, 18, 19 at the front end of the lower layer of the convertible rack 1 corresponding to the USB output/input end 22, SATA output/input end 23, for exposing the above-mentioned elements on the surface of the convertible rack 1 so as to allow the operator to directly operate the device. Additionally, an upper cover 6 and a lower cover 7 are provided on the top and bottom of the convertible rack 1.

With respect to the display panel 5, the front surface of the frame body 51 is provided with a display window 512, an operation button 513 and a fan-controlling button 514. The display window 512 can display the use status of each card reader, USB output/input, SATA output/input, fan rotating speed control as well as the detecting result of each environmental temperature.

In summary, the present invention provides a convertible rack that that can be affixed to a 5.25-inch hard drive bay in a typical PC housing. The convertible rack includes an operator interface such as a card reader unit 31, a USB output/input end 22, a SATA output/input end 23 and a fan-controlling unit. On top of said operator interface of the convertible rack is provided with a display panel 5 that can be stored or expanded as well as displayed or operated vertically such that not only can said device provide multifunctional operator interfaces, but also provides better display effect.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, these are, of course, merely examples to help clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, and alterations in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A convertible rack for computer interface devices, utilizing said convertible rack affixed to a 5.25-inch hard drive bay in a computer housing as a main body, characterized in an operator interface including but not limited to a card reader unit, a USB output/input end, or a SATA output/input end is provided on a front of said convertible rack, and that on top of said operator interface of said convertible rack is provided with a display panel moving in relation to a sliding element, besides moving back and forth in relation to said sliding element, said display panel is hidden inside said convertible rack when moving backwards or can be rotated to a vertical operating and display position when being pulled out.
 2. The convertible rack for computer interface devices according to claim 1, wherein the front of said display panel is provided with a display window so as to display a use status of each operator interfaces and a detected result of each environment temperature. 